How many stories can a monument tell? The Monument Crespel, dedicated to Captain Louis Crespel, stands here in the Square du Solbosch. It is more than just stone and bronze. It’s a relocated tribute to a life of exploration.
Louis Crespel was born in Tournai in 1838. He became a captain and served at the Institut de cartographie militaire. This institute was once the Abbaye de la Cambre. In 1877, Crespel led the first Belgian expedition into Central Africa. His goal was to establish a station on Lake Tanganyika’s eastern shore.
Sadly, Captain Crespel died in Zanzibar in 1878. He never reached the lake. Yet his ambition cemented his place in Belgian history. The Monument Crespel honors him as a pioneer. It marks him as the first Belgian to die in Africa during its exploration.
This monument’s journey mirrors Crespel’s own. It was first erected near the Saint Boniface Church. This was before the church was expanded. In 1885, it moved to Place de Londres. By 1906, it found itself in the gardens of the Holy Cross Church. Finally, after the Second World War, the Monument Crespel arrived here. Now it stands in the Square du Solbosch.
Look at the monument’s features. It is a fountain. A stone basin tops the structure. Bronze plaques adorn the base. The inscriptions detail Crespel’s life. They honor his role as the leader of that first expedition. They also show the dedication of his friends from Ixelles.
The Monument Crespel is an anonymous work of art. It serves as a reminder of Belgium’s colonial past. It stands near the bust of Colonel Chaltin. Both men represent the ambitious colonial endeavors of the era. Crespel lived in Ixelles. His address was Rue Jean Van Volsem, 7. He lived there when he embarked on his fateful journey in 1877. He sailed with Doctor Maes, also from Ixelles.
Originally, the fountain was intended for the corner of Rue Jacquelart. That street was then known as Rue de la Santé. The churchwardens of Saint Boniface Church, however, planned to expand their sanctuary’s choir. This led to the monument’s first relocation.
Imagine the debates at the communal council. They discussed the monument’s location extensively. Its placement at Place de Londres was unpopular. The pavement caused puddles. Children splashed in the water, much to the residents’ dismay. The architect Paul Rome deemed it unsuitable for the style of the Holy Cross Church.
So here it rests, in the Square du Solbosch. The Monument Crespel is a tribute to Captain Louis Crespel. It is also a testament to the ever-changing urban landscape of Brussels. It is a reminder of a time when Belgium looked towards the heart of Africa. It is a monument that has journeyed through the city. It finally found its home in this quiet square.